CRITICAL THINKING
PHIL010.004  Spring 2013  TR 9:45–11  217 Hammond Bldg
PHIL010.003  Spring 2013  TR 11:15–12:30  015 Tyson Bldg
David W. Agler, PhD
Office Location: 228 Sparks & 244 Sparks
Office Hours: TR 8–9AM
e: dwa132 [a t ] psu.edu
w: www.davidagler.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Critical thinking is the use of reason to distinguish good arguments from bad arguments in real-life situations. This
ability includes an array of different skills, e.g. being able to identify arguments from non-arguments, determining
what is relevant to a conclusion, and developing a vocabulary for talking about and evaluating arguments. While all
of us can and do think critically, none of us are perfect reasoning machines. We often succumb to our biases when
we shouldn’t, rely on the testimony of authorities who are not genuine authorities, or uncharitably cast our political
or intellectual opponents as fools when their views are actually quite sophisticated. The primary purpose of this
course is to help you develop the critically thinking skills you already possess. To achieve this, this course includes
an analysis of language, inductive and deductive reasoning, and a discussion of how to evaluate arguments
effectively in everyday situations. At the end of this course, you should be able to (1) distinguish the functions of
language and its capacity to express and influence meaning, (2) identify, analyze, and evaluate a variety of different
types of arguments (inductive and deductive), and (3) recognize common fallacies.
COURSE OVERVIEW
REQUIRED TEXTS
1. Waller, Bruce N. 2012. Critical Thinking: Consider the Verdict. 6th ed. Pearson: Boston.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
1. Course Handouts: http://davidagler.com/teaching/criticalthinking.html
COURSE OBJECTIVES
 Critical Reading Skills: Students will learn certain fundamental features of language needed for argument
analysis. By the end of this course, students should be able to distinguish various uses and features of
language that influence meaning and shape argument.
 Argument Identification Skills: Students will learn how to identify arguments from non-arguments as
well as classify different types of arguments, e.g. inductive, deductive, valid, invalid, strong, weak, etc.
 Critical Thinking Skills: Students will develop a general set of thinking skills that allow them to critically
analyze and assess a variety of arguments in real life situations. They will learn how to use these skills to
determine whether the reasons used to support a conclusion are relevant, whether certain arguments are
properly supported, and when and where certain fallacies are committed.
 Dialogue & Oral Expression: Students will engage in respectful conversation with classmates and develop
their capacity to clearly articulate and use critical thinking concepts.
COURSE WORK
 Participation & Attendance (10%): Regular attendance is strongly linked to success in this course. Since
the course is a combination of lecture and seminar format, regular and active participation is required.
Although it is not essential that you have mastered the text, you are expected to have read the assignment
before attending class and have made notes for which passages, terms, or arguments you think are
important.
o Participation is assessed by using a variety of factors, including (but not limited to): the quality of
your questions and answers, respectful dialogue with your classmates and instructor, your
willingness to participate in class exercises, etc.
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Attendance is assessed through the use of Attendance Sheets distributed periodically throughout
the semester. Missing class without notifying your instructor in advance will result in the loss of
one percentage point.
Three Sets of Homework Exercises (15%): Homework exercises are assigned throughout the semester.
Each will be collected on the day you the exam that corresponds with the homework, e.g. Homework
Exercises #1 is due the day you take Exam #1. Homework is reviewed for completeness. Completeness is
defined as putting forward a solid attempt on every exercise assigned. Thus, it is necessary that you answer
every homework question but not necessary that you answer every exercise correctly. The specific problem
set will also be distributed via ANGEL.
Three Quizzes (30%): Three short quizzes are scheduled throughout the semester. In order to do well on
the quizzes, it is sufficient that you have developed a basic familiarity with the assigned reading and the
material discussed in class. Quizzes do not require a mastery of the material.
Three Exams (45%): Three exams are scheduled periodically throughout the semester. In order to do well
on the exams, it is necessary that you have developed a basic familiarity with the assigned reading and the
material discussed in class. However, exams require a level of understanding of the material that goes
above basic familiarity. A review sheet will be distributed for each exam.
COURSE POLICIES
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
The general principles and policy relating to cheating and plagiarism, which are enforced in this class, can be found
in the Penn State policy on academic misconduct. Academic Integrity: Academic dishonesty encompasses a wide
range of activities, whether intentional or unintentional, that includes, but is not limited to: all forms of fraud,
plagiarism, and any failure to cite explicitly all materials and sources used in one’s work. Sanctions for these
activities include, but are not limited to, failure in a course, removal from the degree program, failure in a course
with an explanation in the permanent transcript of the cause for failure, suspension, and expulsion. If you are unclear
about whether you or someone you know is engaging in academic misconduct, read the following: University
Statement on Academic Integrity. For more information, see PSU Academic Integrity, PSU ITS, Plagiarism Tutor,
Turnitin, PSU Teaching & Learning with Technology
GRADING SCALE & ROUNDING POLICY
Grades will be rounded up from the second decimal point, e.g. 90.95 rounds up to 91.0 while 90.94 rounds down to
90.90. In the event that eLION does not allow for a particular grade (e.g. D+), you will simply be given the letter
grade (e.g. if you have a D+ then you will receive a D, and if you have a C–, you will receive a C).
A: 91–100%;
A–: 90.0–90.9
B+: 89.0–89.9
B: 81.0–88.9
B–: 80–80.9
C+: 79.0–79.9
C: 71.0–78.9
C–: 70–70.9
D+: 69.0–69.9
D: 60.0–68.9
F: 0–59.9
INCOMPLETE
DROP
LATE WORK
If you are planning on turning in any of the above assessments late, you will need to clear this with the instructor
before the day and time of the assessment. If the instructor is not informed that you will be taking the test late, a
grade reduction of one letter grade is incurred for every day the test is late. So if the due date is Tuesday at 3p.m.
and you email me on Tuesday at 3.01p.m., you will lose a letter grade. You will not lose an additional letter grade
until 3.01p.m. the next day (i.e. Wednesday).
STUDENT GUIDANCE AND DISABILITY
If you have a documented disability and wish to receive academic accommodations, please contact the campus
disability liaison as soon as possible: (name, office, telephone, email). For additional information, check the
university web site for Disability Services. If you are in need of psychological counseling, please do not hesitate to
contact Penn State’s Counseling & Psychological Services (phone: 814-863-0395). For any problem related to your
studies, university policies and procedures, do not hesitate to seek the help of the Student Affairs Services, your
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Academic Advisor, or arrange a meeting with your instructor who will help you obtain assistance through one of the
above, or another, agency.
USE OF ANGEL AND EMAIL COMMUNICATION
Please check the webpage on the ANGEL website regularly. Many helpful resources are available there and on my
professional website: www.davidagler.com.
If you have a question about the course, its content or assignments, I encourage you to go through the following
three step process:
(1) Check the syllabus
(2) Check ANGEL
(3) Email me
I encourage you to contact me with any concerns you may have about the course. The best way is to get a hold of me
is through email at dwa132@psu.edu. If you do email me, I encourage you to use the following practices:
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Use your Penn State account
Include your full name
Use a clear subject line, e.g. P120 Question
Try to phrase your question as clearly as possible, including any information you think might be helpful.
Address your intended recipient, e.g. Dear David
Use e-mail for short questions that require short answers.
Students are responsible for activity on their computer accounts so only send emails pertinent to the course or to
your academic development.
TUTORING, DROP PROCEDURES, AND INCOMPLETES
Students who simply stop attending class, for whatever reason, without officially withdrawing from the course, will
receive the grade of F. If you expect a refund, be aware that the date the withdrawal form is processed by Penn State
registrar’s office determines the amount of refund. Consult the Register site for drop procedures. Consult the
Handbook for taking an Incomplete (D/F). Before considering dropping the course or taking an incomplete, you
might consider getting additional help from your academic advisor or from the following useful links: Information
Literacy Tutorial, University Learning Center, Writing Center
CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT
A number of factors figure into creating a healthy classroom environment. In order to facilitate such an environment,
I ask you to obey the following: (1) the use of cell phones in any capacity is prohibited (please turn ringers/buzzers
off, no text-messaging during class), (2) please do not begin to ‘pack up’ your belongings before your instructor has
explicitly dismissed you, (3) please come to class rested, sleeping in class is strictly prohibited, (4) please do not do
other work in class. If you are incapable of performing (1)–(4) or are disruptive in class, you will kindly be asked to
leave the classroom.
CHALLENGE EXAMINATION
For some courses, students may request a challenge examination as a substitute for completing the usual
requirements of a course. If the examination is successfully completed the credits received are described as "credits
by examination" (policy 42-50).
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COURSE SCHEDULE
Jan 8–Feb.7
Part I: Argument Terminology, Ad Hominem Arguments, & the Strawman Fallacy
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: A Few Important Terms
Quiz #1
Chapter 3: Ad Hominem Arguments
Chapter 4: The Strawman Fallacy
Exam #1 & Homework Exercises #1
Feb.7–March 21
Part II: Informal Analysis
Chapter 5: What’s the Question?
Chapter 6: Relevant and Irrelevant Reasons
Quiz #2
No Class March 5 & 7 (Spring break)
Chapter 7: Analyzing Arguments
Chapter 8: The Burden of Proof
Exam #2, Homework Exercises #2
March 21–April 25
Part III: Language that Deceiver, More Fallacies, and Authorities & Testimony
Chapter 9: Language and Its Pitfalls
Chapter 10: Appeal to Authority
Quiz #3
Chapter 12: Some Distinctive Arguments and Potential Pitfalls
Chapter 16: The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth
Exam 3, Homework Exercises #3
Printed, Distributed, & Uploaded: 1/8/2013
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